Watonga Prison Lays Off Nearly 100 Employees

WATONGA, Okla. (AP) — A privately run prison in Watonga is laying off nearly 100 of its employees.

The Diamondback Correctional Facility has been vacant since 2010, when the state of Arizona opted not to renew its contract with the prison. The prison is run by Corrections Corporation of America.

Eight months ago, CCA hired about 100 employees in hopes of getting a new contract with the state of California. But CCA spokesman Steve Owens says the company didn't win the contract.

Owens tells The Oklahoman that most of the affected employees will be offered positions at the company's other facilities. CCA also operates the Cimarron Correctional Facility in Cushing, the North Fork Correctional Center in Sayre and the Davis Correctional Center in Holdenville.